The National Hunt season is looming large, but before that, York stages its final two-day meeting of the Flat season, which starts on Friday.
There’s a seven-race flat card on the Knavesmire on Friday and it is high-quality and competitive action.
We’ve got three selections to follow, including Inanity for trainer Alan King.
14:40 – Insanity @ 5/1
Insanity scored with authority in a novice race at Ffos Las last time out and the lightly-raced three-year-old could be entering handicaps off a good mark.
Alan King’s charge has had just three career starts and makes his handicap debut in the Finale Handicap over one-mile-and-six-furlongs at 14:40.
The son of Nathaniel is a well-bred individual and King’s charge destroyed the 80-rated William Haggas-trained Syllabus at Ffos Las last time out.
Insanity should be able to achieve a good track position from stall six and the unexposed son of Nathaniel looks worth a punt in the opening handicap on the card.
15:50 – Orbaan @ 9/1
Previous course and distance winner Orbaan looks ready to notch a second Knavesmire victory in the one-mile handicap at 15:30.
David O’Meara’s charge scored off a mark of 100 here three years ago, and while the eight-year-old may not be at that level anymore, today’s rating of 89 looks workable.
Rain is forecast for York on Friday afternoon and any softening of the ground won’t be a worry for a horse that has scored on good-to-soft in the past.
It’s a competitive race this afternoon, but at the prices, Orbaan looks to hold a competitive chance.
17:35 – Thunder Roar @ 18/1
There’s a big-field seven-furlong apprentice handicap to close the card and it can go the way of Thunder Roar.
The forecast heavy rain should have well and truly penetrated the ground by 17:35 and soft or heavy ground would be a massive plus for Thunder Roar.
The four-year-old’s only career victory came on soft ground at Ayr and Tommy Coyle’s charge has also run well on soft at Sailsbury and heavy at Chester.
The excellent Billy Loughnane is booked for the ride from the plumb draw in stall one and a big run is anticipated.
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